Display box



y 3 E. J. SCHOETTLE 2,081,070;

'DI'S'PLAY BOX Filed Dec. 17, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 .ZTUQInZr za m jg maez,

May 18, 1937. EQJ, SCHOETTLE 2,081,070

DISPLAY BOX Filed Dec, 17, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 18, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPLAY BOX Application December 17, 1935, Serial No. 54,889

3 Claims.

This invention relates to boxes and, more particularly, to a novel display box wherein the cover is adapted to serve as a cradle support for the box body, and the parts of which may be col- 5 lapsed to flat form, thereby facilitating shipping of the box from the factory to the user.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple and practical box structure of this type, the parts of which may be completely formed at the factory at low cost andmay then be collapsed and shipped in flat condition to the user, and may be easily set up and assembled by the user.

The present invention is in the nature of an improvement over the box disclosed in the prior patent to B. J. Davidson No. 2,006,445 granted July 2, 1935. The box of the said patent comprises a cover which is hingedly connected to the box body and which is adapted to form a cradle support to support the box body in display position. This box when completely set up or assembled is very desirablefrom a commercial standpoint. However, the box is formed from a single blank of a complicated nature which is costly to manufacture and in order to set up or assemble the box for use, it is necessary to perform numerous folding and fastening operations. For example, in a commercial form of the box, it is necessary to perform as many as four rela tively complicated fastening operations and a much greater number of folding operations. If the box blank is shipped in flat form from the factory to the user, it is necessary for the user to perform the many operations, including the relatively complicated fastening operations, in order to set up or assemble the box to usable form. On the other hand, if the box is assembled or set up at the factory, this not only precludes the shipping of the box in flat form but the operations necessary to set the box up are time consuming and add materially to the cost of manufacture, thus necessarily increasing the price of the assembled box.

By the present invention, there is provided a box of the same general type as that of the said patent but which embodies novel features of construction that render the box a marked improvement, particularly from a commercial standpoint. The invention may be clearly understood by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein there is illustrated a preferred form of the box.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a sectional view showing the box set up in display position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the box in closed condition and showing the manner of attachment of the cover to the box body;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the cover in an opened position;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the box showing the cover in another opened position;

Fig. 5 is a face view of the blank from which the box body is formed;

Fig. 6 is a face view of the blank from which the box cover is formed;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the box body in its set-up or assembled condition;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the cover in setup or assembled condition;

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the box body in partially collapsed or flattened condition;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along line |-I0 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the partially collapsed box body;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the box body with a portion broken away, showing more clearly the collapsing of this part;

Fig. 13 is a perspective'view of the cover in collapsed or flattened condition; and

Fig. 14 is a side view of the cover in partially collapsed condition.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1. to l, the box comprises a box body I and a cover 2 having an integral hinge section 3 removably attaching the cover to the box body. The cover is adapted to form a cradle support for the box body when the box is set up iii-display position as illustrated in Fig. 1. The hinge section 3 is constructed and arranged to permit closing of the box, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and also to permit the setting up of the box in the display position illustrated in Fig. 1. When the box is set up in its display position, the cover is moved about the bottom of the box, as illustrated in Fig. 3, while the cover is moved in the opposite direction about an end of the box as illustrated in Fig. 4 when it is desired to close the box.

Referring now to Fig. 5, the blank from which the box body is formed comprises a bottom 4, ends and sides 6. The ends are adapted to be bent along the bend lines 1, while the sides are adapted to be bent along the bend lines 8. The sides are provided with bendable tabs 9 which are adapted to be secured adhesively or in any other suitable manner to the inner surfaces of the box ends 5 when the box is set up, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 'I. Preferably, there is provided an extension ill on one of the ends of the blank, the extending portion being separated from the said end by the bend line H. The purpose of the extending portion is to provide a space for advertising, the extending portion 10 being positioned as shown in Fig. 1 when the box is set up in display position.

In further accordance with the invention, the bottom 4 and the ends 5 are provided with centrally located contiguous fold lines which form a fold line i 2 running longitudinally of the blank, as shown clearly in Fig. 5. The bottom 4 is also provided with fold lines l3 extending obliquely from the corners of the bottom and forming two isosceles triangular sections at each end of the bottom, which sections are bisected by the fold line l2. Thus, the fold line I2 is divided into sections He, I22), I20, Hit, Me, and I2f which will be referred to later. The manner in which the various fold lines: permit the box body to be collapsed or flattened will be apparent later.

Referring to Fig. 6, the blank from which the cover is formed comprises a top panel I4, end flanges l5 and side flanges IS. The end flanges are bendable with respect to the top panel by virtue of the bend lines I'I, while the side flanges are bendable along the bend lines l8. The side flanges are provided with bendable tabs H which are adapted to be adhesively or otherwise secured to the end flangeswhen the cover is set up as illustrated in Fig. 8.

The top panel is provided with a transverse bend line 20 and the side flanges l6 are cut away to provide triangular sections 2| on one side of the bend line 2|] and trapezoidal sections 22 on the other side of the bend line 20. The angle between the adjacent side flanges is substantially a right angle, so that when the completed cover, shown in Fig. 8, is bent along the bend line 20 to the position shown inFig. 1, there is formed a right angled cradle within which the box body is adapted to seat.

In further accordance with the invention, there is provided the hinge section 3 which is formed integrally with one of the end flanges of the cover and adapted to be removably secured to the box body. The hinge section comprises a panel 24 adjacent the said end flange i5 and separated therefrom by a bend line 25, and a narrower portion 26 adjoining the panel 24 and separated therefrom by a bend line 21. 'An end portion 28 having tabs 29 is formed integral with the portion 26 and is separated therefrom by a bend line 30. The tabs 29 are adapted for insertion in slit openings 3| (see Fig. 5) which are formed along two of the oblique fold lines l3 in the bottom of the box body. The manner in which the tabs are inserted in the slit openings is shown clearly in Figs. 2 and 4. As also shown in these figures, the depth of the portion 26 of the hinge section is such that the bend line 21 coincides with the bottom edge of the adjacent end of the box body, so that the hinge section may pass snugly about the said end of the box body when the cover is closed. The panel 24 of the hinge section is of a depth equal to the difierence between the depth of the box body and the depth of the cover end flange, so that the cover may fit snugly over the box body in closed position, as shown in Fig. 2. The hinge section is also of such length that it permits the cover to be turned in the opposite direction to form the cradle support as shown in Fig. 1. When the box is thus used, the hinge section is bent backward about the bend line 30, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3.

Thus, it will be seen that the slit openings 3| are arranged in predetermined position, and the hinge section 3 is formed in accordance with the position of the openings 31 and in accordance with the dimensions of the box body and the cover to enable closing of the cover or the setting up of the cover as a cradle support.

As shown in Fig. 6, in further accordance with the invention, the triangular side flange sections 2| are provided with oblique'fold lines 32, and the trapezoidal side flange sections 22 are provided with oblique fold lines 33. These fold lines permit collapsing of the cover to flat form, as will be further described hereinafter.

The manner in which the separate box parts shown in Figs. 7 and 8 may be collapsed is illustrated in Figs. 9 to 14. By virtue of the fold lines I2 and i3, shown in Fig. 5, the bottom and ends of the box body may be collapsed and the sides of the body pressed toward one another as illustrated in Figs. 9 to 12. The central portion of the bottom collapses transversely of the box body about the central portion 12d of the fold line l2, as shown in Figs. 10 and 12, while the isosceles triangular portions bend about the fold lines l3 and about the sections l2c of fold line i2, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12. At the same time, the ends of the box body collapse about the sections l2b and I2) of fold line I2, so that the collapsed ends seat within the collapsed isosceles triangular portions of the bottom, as shown in Fig. 12. If the box body is provided with extension l above described, this extending portion may be folded outward prior to collapsing of the box body and it may be collapsed about section 12a of fold line l2 simultaneously with the collapsing of the end of the box body, as shown in Figs. 9 and 12.

The side flange sections of the cover may be collapsed and the end flanges of the 'cover pressed toward the top panel, as illustrated in Figs. 13 and 14. By virtue of the oblique fold lines 32, the triangular side flange sections 2| may be collapsed and the associated end flange l pressed toward the top panel. In the same manner, the trapezoidal side flange sections 22 may be collapsed by virtue of the oblique fold lines 33 and the corresponding end flange 65 pressed toward the top panel. The hinge section 3 may be pressed toward the top panel, together with the end flange with which it is integral, as shown clearly in Figs. 13 and 14.

It will be seen that the separate box parts may be collapsed and shipped in flat form from the factory to the user and the user may easily expand the parts to their operative conditions shown in Figs. 7 and 8. In fact, the resiliency of the box parts will cause them to spring outward into their operative conditions when they are slightly expanded. The user may then insert the tabs 29 in the slit openings 3! and the box is ready for use either as a closed container or as a display box, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It will be seen that the user is required only to perform a few simple operations to set up or assemble the box parts.

Furthermore, the box may be manufactured at low cost. The blanks with the fold lines therein may be readily provided and the box. parts may be set up as shown in Figs. '7 and 8 very economically and without the time and expense incident to the fastening of numerous interlocking fasteners. The box parts may be very readily collapsed and they are then ready to be shipped to the user.

Although it is preferred to have the box parts attachable by means of the hinged section, it will be apparent that this feature may be eliminated and the parts may be kept separate. This does not affect the collapsible feature nor does it interfere with the use of the cover both as a closure member and as a cradle support. It will also be understood that the hinged section when employed may be attached in any suitable manner other than that specifically disclosed.

Although a single preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described for the purpose of disclosure, it will be understood that the invention is not thus limitedbut is capable of modifications such as will occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In a display box, a box body, and a cover adapted to be connected to said box body and to serve as a cradle support therefor, said body having a bottom, ends, and sides, said bottom and said ends having centrally disposed contiguous fold lines, said bottom having additional fold lines extending obliquely from the corners of the box body to the central fold line of the bottom, whereby the box body maybe collapsed with the sides pressed toward each other, said cover having a top panel, end and side flanges, and a hinge section integral with an end flange and adapted to be attached to said box body, said top panel having a transverse bend line and said side flanges being cut to provide sections on each side of said bend line adapted to support said cover when the same is bent along said bend line to form a cradle support for the box body, said side flange sections having fold lines permitting the cover to be collapsed with the end flanges and hinge section pressed toward said top panel, whereby said box body and said cover may be flattened until such time as it is desired to use the box.

2. In a display box, a box body, and a cover adapted to be connected to said box body and to serve as a cradle support therefor, said body having a bottom, ends, and sides, said bottom and said ends having centrally disposed contiguous fold lines, said bottom having additional fold lines extending obliquely from the corners of the box body to the central fold line of the bottom, whereby the box body may be collapsed with the sides pressed toward each other, said bottom having slit openings along the additional fold lines adjacent one end of the box body, said cover having a top panel, end and side flanges, and a hinge section integral with an end flange and having tabs adapted to be inserted in said slit openings, said top panel having a transverse bend line and said side flanges being cut to provide sections on each side of said bend line adapted to support said cover when the same is bent along said bend line to form a cradle support for the box body, said side flange sections having fold lines permitting the cover to be collapsed with the end flanges and hinge section pressed toward said top panel, whereby said box body and said cover may be flattened until such time as it is desired to use the box, said hinge section being constructed and arranged to permit closing of said cover and the aforesaid cradle formation of the cover when the box parts are assembled for use.

3. In a display box, a box body, and a cover adapted to be connected to said box body and to serve as a cradle support therefor, said body having a bottom, ends, and sides, said bottom and said ends having centrally disposed contiguous fold lines, said bottom having additional fold lines extending obliquely from the corners of the box body to the central fold line of the bottom, whereby the box body may be collapsed with the sides pressed toward each other, said bottom having slit openings along the additional fold lines adjacent one end of the box body, said cover having a top panel, end and side flanges, and a hinge section integral with an end flange and having tabs adapted to be inserted in said slit openings, said top panel having a transverse bend line and said side flanges being cut to provide sections on each side of said bend line adapted to support said cover when the same is bent along said bend line to form a cradle support for the box body, said side flange sections having fold lines permitting the cover to be collapsed with the end flanges and hinge section pressed toward said 'top panel, whereby said box body and said cover may be flattened until such time as it is desired to use the box, said hinge section, when attached to said box body as aforesaid, passing about the said end of said box body and being of sufficient length to permit closing of said cover and the aforesaid cradle formation of the cover.

EDWIN J. SCHOE'I'ILE. 

